Disk prostheses: what injuries are recommended and what are their benefits

Written by: Dr. Josep Cabiol Belmonte

Published: 18/07/2017
| Updated: 21/02/2018

Edited by: Top Doctors®

The disc prostheses are usually placed in young patients between 20 and 50-60 years old, with recurrent and persistent lumbar or cervical pain and, occasionally, with irradiated pain in the extremities.

Injuries that require a disc prosthesis

The most frequent lesions observed are degenerative discopathy associated with a functional stability of the spine and without evidence of a clear canal or foraminal stenosis. Once these parameters have been verified, the patient can benefit from the placement of a dynamic prosthesis, recovering the same mobility as a healthy disc and avoiding the consequences that can lead to arthrodesis (fixation of the spine).

The prosthesis allows to recover the mobility

Disc prostheses: what is the intervention and the postoperative

The disc prosthesis intervention consists of an anterior approach, both at the cervical and lumbar level. It is considered one of the most direct, less invasive and less traumatic approaches, obtaining a good disc exposure and a better postoperative recovery.

After the intervention, the patient will initiate mobility early after 24 hours post surgery and should remain hospitalized for 3-4 days. During the first month post-procedure the patient should maintain a normal / contemplative life without effort or physical exercise. He will also follow regular check-ups with his doctor specializing in Neurosurgery. Regarding the surgical wound, it should always be kept clean and dry until the stitches are removed.

Results of the disc prosthesis intervention

The great majority of the results obtained with the intervention of disc prostheses are very favorable due to the achievement of an optimum r equperation of the mobility of the spine, avoiding the rapid degeneration of the adjacent discs and giving the patient a better quality of life.

Dr. Cabiol is a recognized neurosurgeon with more than 20 years of professional experience. He is an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery, vascular malformations and brain tumors. Throughout his professional career he has combined his assistance with teaching, being a teacher in different postgraduates. He currently works as a Neurosurgeon in Neurosurgery Barcelona - IMECBA and in the General University Hospital of Catalonia.

Dr. Cabiol is a recognized neurosurgeon with more than 20 years of professional experience. He is an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery, vascular malformations and brain tumors. Throughout his professional career he has combined his assistance with teaching, being a teacher in different postgraduates. He currently works as a Neurosurgeon in Neurosurgery Barcelona - IMECBA and in the General University Hospital of Catalonia.

Dr. Cabiol is a recognized neurosurgeon with more than 20 years of professional experience. He is an expert in minimally invasive spine surgery, vascular malformations and brain tumors. Throughout his professional career he has combined his assistance with teaching, being a teacher in different postgraduates. He currently works as a Neurosurgeon in Neurosurgery Barcelona - IMECBA and in the General University Hospital of Catalonia.